All you need to know about Hindfoot Fusion Nail

Are you tired of dealing with persistent foot pain and discomfort? Have you tried a number of treatments without success? It may be time to explore hindfoot fusion surgery, and the hindfoot fusion nail may be just what you need to obtain some relief. We'll go over all you need to know about the hindfoot fusion nail and how it can help with foot problems in this article.

What exactly is a Hindfoot Fusion Nail?

The hindfoot fusion nail is a medical device used to support the ankle and foot bones during hindfoot fusion surgery. It is a titanium rod that is put into the bones of the hindfoot and aids in the fusion of the bones, resulting in a more stable and pain-free foot. This type of surgery is often indicated for persons who have discomfort and instability in their feet and ankles due to disorders such as arthritis, fractures or other foot and ankle problems.

What is the Hindfoot Fusion Nail?

The hindfoot fusion nail is introduced into the bones of the hindfoot via small incisions during hindfoot fusion surgery. The nail is positioned in such a way that it aids in bone stabilization and fusion. The procedure is normally conducted under general anesthesia and lasts 1 to 2 hours.

You will need to keep your foot immobilized for several weeks following surgery to allow the bones to mend and fuse together. Physical therapy and other rehabilitation treatments will be prescribed by your doctor to help you regain foot strength and mobility. You may also need to wear a special boot or cast to keep your foot in place while it heals.

The Advantages of the Hindfoot Fusion Nail

The hindfoot fusion nail has a number of advantages over other types of foot and ankle surgery. These advantages include:

Increased stability: The hindfoot fusion nail aids in the stabilization of the bones of the hindfoot, reducing pain and discomfort while enhancing overall foot stability.

Pain relief: Many people report a considerable improvement in foot pain and discomfort following surgery.

Improved mobility: As the bones of the hindfoot fuse together, you may enjoy increased movement and be able to do previously painful or difficult activities.

Faster recovery: When compared to other types of foot and ankle surgery, hindfoot fusion surgery with the hindfoot fusion nail often has a faster recovery time.

Scarring is minimized as a result of the small incisions made during the treatment, making it a less intrusive choice for patients seeking foot and ankle surgery.

Conclusion

The hindfoot fusion nail is a highly successful and efficient approach to relieve foot discomfort and instability caused by arthritis, fractures and other foot and ankle disorders. If you're weary of living with foot pain and suffering, discuss the hindfoot fusion nail with your doctor to see if it's the correct solution for you. You can regain your foot stability and live a pain-free, active lifestyle with the proper care and attention. To know more, visit https://www.djoglobal.com/.

Who Needs Hindfoot Fusion and What to Expect?

There are numerous joints and bones in your hindfoot. If you have pain and stiffness in the area, there could be a number of possible causes including:

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Osteoarthritis
• Broken bones
• Deformity or change in foot shape

Your doctor may try a number of conventional treatment methods to avoid surgery. However, if they do not work, your doctor may recommend hindfoot fusion.

What Happens During Hindfoot Fusion?

A surgeon performs hindfoot fusion or intramedullary nail fixation surgery under general anesthetic. During the procedure, the doctor makes two or more incisions to access the impacted area. After cleaning the area, the surgeon joins the joints together with screws.

This procedure allows the joints to fuse, alleviating pain caused by joints rubbing together. Typically, the doctor closes the incisions with staples or stitches, and the foot is encased in a cast to facilitate healing.

DJO^®’s DynaNail^® intramedullary nail fixation system is a next generation nail fixation solution that maintains compression with up to 6 millimeters of bone settling or resorption. Thanks to the elastic properties of this intramedullary nail, surgeons can apply up to 6 millimeters of compression during the procedure.

What Happens After Hindfoot Fusion Surgery?

You'll receive pain medication during the healing process, and the fusion limits foot movement. For example, you won't be able to twist your foot or move it from side to side. Approximately 12 weeks after surgery, if the foot has healed well, you can begin to put some weight on the foot. Depending on the recommendations of your surgeon, you may go through physiotherapy once your doctor advises you to stand up and begin moving around again.

It may take some time to adjust to crutches or a walker, but it's crucial to minimize the weight you place on the foot in the first weeks of recovery. You may need to return to the hospital or clinic to have the staples or stitches removed or to change your cast.

Possible Complications

Possible complications of surgery include:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Swelling
• Blood clots 

There are also specific complications that sometimes arise following hindfoot fusion, including the following:

• Poor union of the bones
• Misalignment of the fused bones
• Nerve damage
• Continued pain
• Screw irritation (necessitating removal)

DJO offers innovative devices that help salvage limbs and save lives. Do you have questions about DJO’s intramedullary nail or other foot products? Contact us today for more information.

Do I Have Diabetic Charcot Foot?

If you have diabetes, you already know the complications it can cause for foot health. If you notice that your foot feels warm to the touch, or looks red and swollen, it could signal that you have this condition. However, the same symptoms apply to numerous other foot injuries.

Learn how to spot the symptoms of diabetic Charcot foot, also called Charcot arthropathy. Additionally, we’ll discuss the causes and treatment options, including the DynaNail TTC Fusion System^® by DJO^®.

Causes of Charcot Foot

So, besides diabetes, what else causes Charcot foot? This condition affects those who can't feel due to nerve damage in their feet. Although there is no singular cause, the following conditions may trigger diabetic Charcot arthropathy:

• Infection
• Alcohol or drug abuse
• Undetected sprain or break
• Organ rejection
• Spinal cord disease
• Parkinson’s disease
• Syphilis
• HIV

Symptoms of Charcot Arthropathy

As the condition progresses, your bones weaken and may shift or break. As a result, the symptoms of more advanced Charcot arthropathy include:

• Loss of foot shape. The arch of your foot falls until the bones are lower than your toes or heels, a condition known as “rocker bottom” foot.
• Curled toes
• Twisted, unsteady ankle
• Bones press on shoes, causing wounds and infections 

Although diabetes isn't the only cause of Charcot arthropathy, diabetics often have poor blood flow. That makes it difficult for the foot to heal and often results in amputation.

Treatment for Diabetic Charcot Foot

If you have early stage Charcot arthropathy, your doctor may prescribe a cast or boot to keep the bones in place and to promote healing. Nonsurgical treatment may also include special shoes to promote healing and protect the bones.

Unfortunately, diabetics and some others who develop this condition have nerve damage (neuropathy) that prevents them from feeling sprains, fractures, and breaks. This may lead to more damage, calling for stronger treatment methods.

The surgical approach will depend on the nature of the deformity, as follows:

• Mild deformity with tight tendons at the heel. Surgery to lengthen the Achilles tendon can relieve pressure on the heel at midfoot. This promotes the healing of ulcers.
• Protrusions on the bottom of the feet. This is more severe than a mild deformity. The type of surgery depends on the stability of your foot:

o   For a stable deformity, the surgeon can shave off the protruding bone.

o   For an unstable deformity, the surgeon may need to fuse and reposition the bones to promote healing.

DJO’s DynaNail Treatment Saves Limbs

DJO has developed the DynaNail treatment system to save limbs and save lives. Whether you are a surgeon who treats diabetic Charcot foot or someone who lives with the condition, you need to know about this effective surgical option.

DJO’s motto is “get and keep people moving.” If you have diabetic Charcot foot or treat patients who do, we want to help. Let us know if you have questions about how our foot products can help heal Charcot arthropathy. Contact us today for more information.

What are Nitinol Compression Staples for Bone Fixation in Foot Surgery?

Heard about staplers that are used to staple pages? What about staples for internal bone fixation in the case of foot surgery?  This is one of the important gifts of science and technology which has led to a far more convenient and low-profile fixation through the innovation of nitinol compression staples for bone fixation in foot surgery.

What are nitinol compression staples?

An alternative to screws or plates, nitinol compression staples are compact and provide constant compression at the site of the injury. Nitinol compression staples are the right pick for podiatric surgeons who want something strong and a better pull-out ratio in comparison to the various alternatives available.

What are the benefits of nitinol compression staples for bone fixation in foot surgery?

Nitinol compression staples for bone fixation have become one of the widely picked options by podiatric surgeons due to the following reasons:

• The flexible positioning of nitinol compression staples makes them the right choice on the tension side in osteotomy and thus are ideal for foot surgery.

• In comparison to plates and screws, surgery with nitinol compression staples is efficient and fast.

• The distinctive design of the nitinol compression staples enhances the visibility of the osteotomy site on X-rays and hence, enables the surgeon to advise the patient in a better way. This is unlike the case with plates because these obscure the osteotomy site.

• The versatility of nitinol compression staples regarding size, reproducibility, ease of use, etc. has led to its widespread use in hallux interphalangeal joint, talonavicular joint arthrodesis, and similar other procedures.

• The low profile of the nitinol compression staples has made it ideal for simple procedures like phalangeal osteotomies.

• The pain and irritation that a patient experiences because of foot surgery get minimized by opting for nitinol compression staples. The reason behind the same is that nitinol has the property to change its stiffness and shape according to the mechanical force and temperature.

If you are looking for a stronger and superior internal fixation implant, then nitinol compression staples will serve your purpose. Visit https://www.djoglobal.com/foot-and-ankle to know more about these advanced staples.

Signs You May Need an Ankle Replacement

Pain or misalignment in the structures that surround the ankle joint can lead to poor posture and poor gait, both of which, if not corrected, can cause chronic pain and long-term damage. 

The total ankle joint replacement also known as ankle arthroplasty has now become more common in patients with disabling issues of the ankle joint or the structures surrounding it. 

In this surgical procedure, the ankle joint is replaced with an artificial joint made up of medical-grade titanium and polyethylene materials. The objective of the artificial joint is to be wear-resistant, function efficiently under weight-bearing, permit a normal range of motion, maintain alignment and stabilize the body. 

Indications you might need Ankle Arthroplasty 

1. Primary or post-traumatic osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative arthritis, is caused by inflammation, breakdown, and loss of cartilage (in the later stages) in the joints. The individual might experience severe pain in the ankle joint along with stiffness, tenderness, swelling, and crackles. If the osteoarthritis is chronic and the individual’s symptoms aren’t improving, ankle arthroplasty is a very viable option.

2. Chronic Ankle Pain 

If the ankle pain has not been resolved by all the possible non-surgical treatments and continues to persist, then going for arthroplasty is a good option because the ankle pain will restrict the individual’s mobility and create bad posture and gait, all of which can lead to a plethora of secondary problems. 

3. Fracture 

If it is a comminuted fracture or fracture that is very likely to mal-align during healing, it is better to go for ankle arthroplasty than to have risk the individual having a limited range of motion and mobility. 

4. Ankle instability 

An individual’s ankle joint might be more flexible from birth which might have led to too many ankle sprains during childhood or a certain activity that gives strain on the ankle joint directly can lead to ankle instability which in turn leads to over-stretching, tearing or loosening of the ligaments surrounding the ankle joint that might not heal completely. Ankle arthroplasty is a viable option in such cases. 

Ankle arthroplasty eliminates pain and can help an individual to be more physically active and hence have a better quality of life. 

The self-adaptive foot and ankle implants at DJO® including the STAR total ankle replacement are up-to-date with the recent advances and they aim to exceed the performance expectations of every surgeon and patient. Ask your foot and ankle surgeon what the best treatment option is for you.